Juarez throws 'pachanga' to remember 'JuanGa'

JUAREZ, Mexico - The world famous singer and entertainer who grew up in Juarez died one year ago and today the city, his family and friends are throwing a party Juan Gabriel himself would be proud to sing at.

The festivities began at 8am this morning as musicians lead by Mariachi Mi Tierra began playing outside Juan Gabriel's mansion on 16th of September avenue in central Juarez.

Mariachi groups are scheduled to play continuously throughout the day.

Juan Gabriel’s own mariachis opened the celebrations of life, kicking off music that will ring through the streets all day as hundreds of fans show up.

A parade complete with floats portraying Juarez comedian Tin Tan and Juan Gabriel's close friend and muse, Rocio Durcal, will be held nearby at the Parque Borunda at 6 pm.

A fan from close to one thousand miles away never had the money to see Juan Gabriel live, so she’s saved up over the past year, four thousand pesos, just to fly in for the memorial in Juarez. Photographs of El Divo de Juarez lined the gates surrounding his Juarez home.

The lyrics under them, fans say, are one of the many things they miss.

Two fans thanking Juanga for showcasing the best of Cd. Juarez around the world, another saying she felt as if a member of her own family had died

More than 200 Municipal police officers will be on hand to provide security and order to the massive gathering. The celebration and festivities are expected to last well into the night.

ABC-7 spoke with a police commander who says last year half a million people went to Juan Gabriel’s funeral last year. The commander also told ABC-7 she honestly did not know how many people will go today, but they’re preparing everything they can.

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